Thai Army Denies Incursion at Chong Chom Border Site

The Thai army has denied allegations that its troops encroached into Cambodian territory at Chong Chom in Surin province, stating it has strictly adhered to agreed deployment positions. The clarification was issued on Friday, April 10, 2026, by the Joint Information Centre on the Thailand-Cambodia Situation (JIC). Officials said the military presence is defensive and aimed at addressing security threats in the border area.

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Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to the Joint Statement agreed at the Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on December 27, 2025. Under the agreement, both countries pledged to maintain forces at existing positions and avoid actions that could alter the situation. The Thai army insisted there has been no encroachment, reinforcement, or change to its deployment line.

Authorities said the troop presence is a necessary safety measure rather than a law enforcement action in another country. Thailand claims the area had previously been used by Cambodian forces as a military base to launch attacks. As a result, Thai actions are described as limited, preventive and focused on protecting national sovereignty.

Further investigation at the site revealed what officials described as a large-scale transnational scam operation. Evidence reportedly included foreign SIM cards, multilingual scam scripts and infrastructure linked to industrial cybercrime activities. Thai authorities allowed media access to inspect the site, citing transparency and the need to inform the international community.

The government stressed that resolving the dispute remains a priority through bilateral mechanisms, including the Regional Border Committee (RBC), General Border Committee (GBC) and Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). Ongoing communication between both sides continues under a principle of de-escalation.

Thailand also urged caution against misinformation, warning that distorted narratives could undermine cooperation. Both countries had previously agreed to prevent fake news and work together to combat transnational crime under the Joint Statement.

The situation highlights broader regional concerns about cross-border criminal networks and security cooperation. Officials emphasised that tackling such threats requires collaboration rather than confrontation, particularly in sensitive border areas.

The Nation reported that Thailand signalled its intention to continue diplomatic engagement while maintaining security measures deemed necessary. Authorities said future efforts should focus on joint solutions, transparency and maintaining regional stability.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 11 Apr 2026